Sir, - I am researching a Channel 4 documentary which explores the history of courtship and attitudes to sex in Ireland between the 1920s and 1960s. The Catholic Church has always exercised great influence over sexual matters.
Sex was a taboo subject, and consequently many young people were kept in ignorance of the facts of life and could suffer greatly as a result. If they strayed from the straight and narrow, they were often treated harshly by the Church, their families and the community.
We would like to talk to people who had personal experience of this and came into conflict with those in authority while they were young. We would especially like to hear from women who had illegitimate babies that were adopted, and from young women who were sent to Magdalene homes. We would also like to hear from men on their courtship experiences and attitude to sex at the time. Please write in confidence to:
Testimony Films, 12 Great George Street, Bristol,
BS1 5RS.